Self-opening container with handle



AWIIE N, 967 L. M. HARVEY 3,313,446

A SELFOPENING CONTAINER WITH HANDLE Filed y 1 1 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3.

1 N VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,313,445 SELF-OPENING CUNTAJINER WITH HANDLE Leo M. Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif. (19200 S. Western Ave, Torrance, Calif. 96503) Filed May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,658 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) This invention has to do with containers which utilize prescored areas designed to form pouring and/or vent openings when said areas are removed and is particularly concerned with a self-opening container that is manually operable with extreme facility, it being a general object of this invention to provide means characterized by an adequate handle which is engageable to be manipulated and thereby facilitating opening of the container without hazard.

The prior art relating to prescored self-opening containers teaches a rigid lever that is lifted manually in order to tear a prescored area from the top of the container. Generally, these prior art containers are actually difi'icult to open and they can be dangerous.

In connection with opening difficulties experienced with prior art containers of the type under consideration no handle or grip is provided, and there are complaints by those persons who have thin, and/or brittle fingernails, and even those persons with heavy fingernails and strong fingers experience diificulty in opening these containers. There is a reason for concern when it is considered that the material forming the containers must withstand pressures developed by the contents such as carbonated beverages and said materials are necessarily relatively thick and stiff, to the end that substantial force must be exerted on order to break out the prescored area. Since the ordinary opening lever lies flat upon the surface to be opened, it is not uncommon for a person to experience difliculty in lifting the lever and for a person to damage his or her fingernails when attempting to initially lift or raise said lever.

In connection with dangerousness experienced with prior art containers of the type under consideration, it is readily apparent that sharp edges are exposed during and upon completion of the opening operation, both on the parts removed and upon the opened container per se. In the first instance, following the initial breaking out of the prescored area, which function usually occurs rapidly in a surprising manner, the container surface must be torn or ripped by the person pulling on the tab or lever. Since the lever is rather small and because it is usually angularly related to the prescored area on the container, a twisting action is inherently established. This twisting is advantageously employed in the tearing out of the prescored area. However, it is dangerous to any person who is not very careful in performing the opening operation. For example, if the person would permit the fingers to slip, or as a better grip is gained as by encroachment of the fingers onto the torn portions of the prescored area being removed, then it is not uncommon for the person to receive cuts from the sharp edges that have been exposed.

Further, and an extremely detrimental feature of the prior art containers, the pouring openings which are established by the tearing out of prescored areas are so large as to present an inherent danger in and of themselves. The art has provided a single prescored area which is re- 3,3l3,44fi Patented Apr. 11, 1967 "ice moved from the container top, said area being relatively large and extended so as to provide a so-called combined pouring spout and a vent opening. It is not uncommon for persons to receive cuts on their fingers, lips and tongues, from the sharp edges of material that have been exposed by providing the large prior art openings.

A general object of this invention is to provide an improved self-opening container for use in merchandising liquids, wherein opening is facilitated, and wherein danger to persons handling the same is virtually eliminated.

An object of this invention is to provide a self-opening container with prescored areas that are simultaneously removable in order to establish both pouring and vent openings.

Another object of this invention is to provide prescored and removable pouring and vent areas in a container of the type under consideration that are proportioned so as to preclude entry therein of human body parts.

It is an object of this invention to provide prescored and removable pouring and vent areas in a container of the type under consideration that are fashioned so as to eliminate the usual exposure of sharp and/ or torn edges.

It is still another object of this invention to provide prescored and removable pouring and vent areas that are simultaneously removable through manual operation of a single element.

It is still another object of this invention to provide prescored and removable pouring and vent areas that are simultaneously removed by the operation of respective levers which are coupled by a handle made accessible for comfortable and convenient opening of the container.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are perspective views of the selfopening container and the steps involved in opening the same; FIG. 1 showing the container as initially formed; FIG. 2 showing the grip or handle that is lifted for manual engagement; and FIG. 3 showing the opened container with both pouring and vent openings.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on FIG. 1 and shows the can opener in its initial position; while FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and taken as indicated by line 5'5 on FIG. 2 to show the grip or handle turned on its hinge into a manually engagea'ble position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 66 on FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are top and bottom views of the can opener per se.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating one of the prescored areas as it is related to the can opener.

Containers of the type under consideration are intended to hold liquid or malt beverages and are made of material thick enough and stiff enough to withstand any normal internal gas pressures that may be caused by sterilization or by heating or by shaking of the containers. Because of the design of existing container handling equipment, it is necessary to avoid projections on the containers, although it is permissible to have fiat parts superimposed over certain areas of the containers. For example, a fiat part can lie adjacent the top or bottom of the container,

3 recessed within the confines of the container rim or head.

Self-opening containers of the prior art utilize the recessed top in which to carry an opening lever that is manipulated to tear or break out a prescored pouring and vent area. Again, and with the present invention, it is this recessed top which is preferred to be employed for locating the opener hereinafter described. However, this preferred location is not to be implied as a limitation, since the novel means disclosed herein can be advantageously applied to the various surfaces of a container.

The invention is applicable generally to a container C which is of the type commonly referred to as a can. A typical can is illustrated wherein there is a cylindrical body closed by disc-shaped bottom and top closures 11 and 12. The bottom 11 is attached to the body 10 at a chine 13 while the top..12 is joined to the body 16 by a double seam 14. In practice, the top 12 is applied and the seam 14 formed after the can is filled, and it is usual that the top 12 is recessed within the seam 13 so formed. Essentially the container C is a shell of relatively thin material, preferably metallic.

In accordance with this invention, I provide a pair of openings, P and V which are simultaneously established at prescored areas 20 and 30 respectively. In order to accomplish this end, the openings P and V are substantially alike if not identical, and they are spaced apart diametrically across the container top 12 and each is located at/or close to the periphery of the container. The said prescored areas can vary in shape or configuration and as shown they are round and each defined by a line of scoring 31 applied as circles approximately .312 inch in diameter. The scoring 31 can be applied and/ or indented in the usual manner to a substantial depth adapted so as to weaken the material of the top 12. However, and in accordance with the invention, the scoring line 31 are depressed into the upper face of the top 12 so as to present channel-shaped depressions with generously rounded corners. In addition to the rounded corners, the scoring 31 is bordered by a raised welt 31 that is crowned upwardly adjacent to said scoring. As is shown in FIG. 6 the Welt 31 is a continuous gentle arcuate embossment of the top 12 and is raised from the top outside the said prescored area.

This invention is characterized by the single opener O which is related to the two prescored areas 20 and 30 to open them simultaneously or at least substantially at one time. Characteristically, the opener O- is a semicircular arcuate-shaped element having spaced levers 22 and 32 and an intermediate handle 35 operatively connected to and joining the levers. The two levers 32 and 22 and handle 35 are integrally formed so as to extend between the areas 20 and 30 preferably concentrically with the adjacent perimeter of the top 12 or seam 14. In the broad sense, this semicircular opener O is a rigid element acting as a manual liftable pair of levers joined by a common operating handle.

Each lever 22 and 32 is operatively attached to the respective areas 20 and 30 which are to be removed, and the mode of attachment or fastening can be varied, for instance, spot welding or riveting can be employed, and in the preferred form the top 12 is provided with blister rivets 23 and 33 at each area 20 and 30, said rivets being projected through openings 34 in the respective levers and headed so as to capture the attachment portions of the levers on the upper surface of the top 12. A feature of the invention is that the attachment portion of each lever 22 and 32 is confined within the respective area 20 The levers 22 and 32 are alike and preferably identical levers, and each comprises an attachment portion 37 that overlies the prescored area (20-30) which is to be removed. In the preferred form the portion 37 is substantially coextensive with the said prescored area at and/ or immediately adjacent to the score line. Thus the attachment portion 37 is superimposed upon the prescored area (29453) and is fastened thereto in such a manner that turning of the lever (22-32) effected by raising of the handle 35 from the plane of the top 12 causes revolvement of the prescored areas 20 and 36. As shown, the areas 20 and 30 are circular in which case there is a pivotal point of revolvement disposed theoretically on a common axis a extending through the two said areas.

It will be apparent that the attachment portion 37 of the lever (22-32) is substantially rigid and that the blister rivet (2333) affords a substantially rigid connection to the prescored area (30-30). Thus, the prescored areas 20 and 30 move with the attachment portions 37 of the respective levers 22 and 32, to be broken out of the top 12 as determined by the location of the prescoring 31. In the case illustrated, the prescoring 31 is closest to the left side of the attachment portion 37 as pictured in the drawings, in which case the attachment portion 37 of the lever lifts and initially breaks out at the said closest prescoring 31. Therefore, by suitable placement of the prescoring 31 relative to the attachment portion 37, the initial point of severage can be predetermined as circumstances require.

In practice the levers 22 and 32 are fabricated of sheet material which in itself is bendable and requires reinforcement so as to act efficiently as the levers 22 and 32. To this end, the inside and outside edges of the opener O are flanged at 38 so as to establish such a reinforcement and to make the levers rigid as is required. Further, to this end the said reinforcement is continued around the fastener portion 37 in a single depending flange 39 that forms a continuation of the flange 38. The flange 38 forms a dual purpose, of reinforcement as well as to present a smooth well-rounded handle 35 and to this end the flange 38 has an inturned margin 40 which underlies the outwardly faced visible body of the opener O.

In accordance with the invention I provide the handle 35 which is integral with the levers 22 and 32 and which is operable between a normally inactive position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to a selective operative position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. It is significant that the opener O is made of relatively thin gage material that is easily bent or turned. Therefore, it is necessary that the above mentioned reinforcement flanges 38 be utilized in order to render the levers operable at all, otherwise said levers would bend without effect upon the areas 20 and 30. In carrying out this invention and in order to provide a utilitarian handle 35, I provide hinges 45 at the opposite ends of the handle 35 where said handle continues into the two opposite levers 22 and 32, said hinges being disposed so as to permit the handle 35 to swing upwardly without movement of the levers.

The hinge 45 can vary in form, a novel feature of this invention being that the hinges comprise weakening of the arcuate openers 0, preferably a weakening or removal of the flanges 38. Therefore, in the case illustrated, the flanges 38 are interrupted at each point of joinder with levers 22 and 32 along an axis b extending transversely and equidistant from the pivotal axis a. The opposite edges of the levers 22 and 32 are notched as shown at 46, thereby permitting the fiat bendable material intermediate the notches to act as the hinges 45.

In order to operate the container opener of the present invention it is a simple matter to lift the handle 35 'by turning it about the axis of hinge 45. The arcuate configuration of the handle 35 with its well-rounded reinforced edges presents a raised bail-like part beneath which an entire finger can be placed, or at least partially inserted. Thus, by lifting said handle 35 the hinged interconnections thereof with the opposite levers 22 and 32 causes the disc-shaped prescored areas 20 and 30 to be ripped and to be broken out of the top 12 establishing the openings P and V. At no time is there any sharp edge or projection presented or exposed by operation of the opener O, and upon completion of the opening operation the two openings P and V are characterized by inwardly rounded edges as a result of the score lines 31 and welts 31' being formed as shown and described. The openings P and V are of relatively small configuration so as to preclude entry of a persons body parts therein. Further, surging of liquids as they are poured from the instant container is eliminated by provision of the diametrically opposite and adequate vent to admit air, the use of the two openings P and V being interchangeable as desired.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described by invention, I claim:

1. A container having a surface with an opening area defined by a prescored line, and comprising:

(a) a lever lying on said container surface and attached to said opening area, whereby raising of said lever will tear said area from the said container surface to establish a pouring opening;

(b) a handle on the lever at a point remote from the point of attachment of the lever to said opening area;

(c) and a hinge attachment between the handle and lever, whereby the handle is operable from a position lying adjacent the said container surface to a manually engageable position projecting from said container surface.

2. A container having a surface with an opening area defined by a prescored line, and comprising:

(a) a lever lying on said container surface and attached to said opening area, whereby raising of said lever will tear said area from the said container surface to establish a pouring opening;

(b) a handle on the lever at a point remote from the point of attachment of the lever to said opening area;

(c) and a hinge of bendable material between the handle and lever, whereby the handle is operable from a position lying adjacent the said container surface to an upturned operative position projecting from said container surface where it is manually engageable to raise the lever.

3. A container having a surface with an opening area defined by a prescored line, and comprising:

(a) a lever lying on said container surface and attached to said opening area, whereby raising of said lever will tear said area from the said container surface to establish a pouring opening;

(b) the lever being formed of bendable material and sufiiciently rigid to tear said prescored line;

(c) and said lever being weakened at a point remote from the point of attachment of the lever to said opening area, defining a terminal handle portion operable by bending the lever at said weakened point to move said portion from a position lying adjacent the said container surface to a manually engageable position projecting from said container surface.

4. A container having a surface with an opening area defined by a prescored line, and comprising:

(a) a lever lying on said container surface and attached to said opening area, whereby raising of said lever will tear said area from the said container surface to establish a pouring opening;

(b) the lever being formed of bendable material and having a reinforcement therealong making it rigid;

(c) and said reinforcement being interrupted at a point remote from the point of attachment of the lever to said opening area, defining a terminal handle portion operable by bending the lever at said interrupted point to move said handle portion from a position lying adjacent the said container surface to a position projecting from the said container surface where it is manually engageable to be raised to tear said opening area from the container surface.

5. A self-opening container of the character described, and including:

(a) an imperforate shell having a surface with a pair of spaced opening areas defined by prescored lines;

(b) a lever secured to each of said opening areas and extending therefrom adjacent the surface of the shell;

(c) a handle hinged to the free ends of the levers so as to be turned up for manual engagement;

((1) whereby raising of the levers through manual raising of said handle causes revolving of the levers about a pivot point so as to tear the opening areas from the shell along said prescored lines.

6. A self-opening container of the character described,

and including:

(a) an imperforate shell having a surface with a pair of spaced opening areas defined by prescored lines;

(b) a pair of levers secured to said opening areas respectively and each with the fulcrum thereof engageable with the underlying opening area and said levers extending therefrom adjacent the surface of the shell;

(c) a handle hinged to the free ends of the levers and revoluble to a manual engageable position;

(d) whereby manual engagement of the handle and lifting thereof causes removement of the levers and prescored areas so as to tear the opening areas from the shell along said prescored lines.

7. A self-opening container of the character described,

and including:

(a) an imperforate shell having a surface with a pair of spaced opening areas defined by prescored lines;

(b) an opener for breaking out said prescored opening areas and comprising, an arcuate element having a lever portion attached to and extending from each of said opening areas;

(c) a line of weakening defining the terminal end of each lever and establishing a hinge line with a handle portion extending therebetween;

(d) whereby said handle portion is revoluble and thereby manually engageable to raise the levers and cause revolvement of the prescored opening areas so as to tear them from the shell along said prescored lines.

8. A closure for a container having an imperforate shell, said closure including spaced opening areas each defind by a preweakened portion of said closure, a lever connected to each of said areas respectively andoverlying said closure, a handle connected to said lever at a point intermediate its connection to said areas, and a hinged attachment between the handle and lever, whereby the handle is operable from a position lying adjacent to said closure to a manually engageable position projecting from said closure.

9. A container closure having a surface with an opening area defined by a preweakened portion of said closure, a lever lying on said closure surface and attached to said opening area, whereby raising of said lever will tear said area from the said closure surface to establish a pouring opening, a handle on the lever at a point remote from the point of attachment of the lever to said opening area, and a hinged attachment between the handle and lever, whereby the handle is operable from a position lying adjacent the said closure surface to a manually engageable position projecting from said closure surface.

10. A container closure having a surface with an opening area defined by a preweakened portion of said closure, a lever lying on said closure surface and attached to said opening area, whereby raising of said lever will tear said area from the said closure surface to establish a pouring opening, the lever being formed of bendable material and sufiiciently rigid to tear said preweakened portion of said closure, said lever being weakened at a point remote from the point of attachment of the lever to said opening area, defining a terminal handle portion operable by bending the lever at said weakened point to move said handle portion from a position lying adjacent to the said closure surface to a manually engageable position projecting from said closure surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Fraze 220-54 Lambert 220-5 3 Ericsson 22048 Sebell 220-27 Gerhard 22054 G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CONTAINER HAVING A SURFACE WITH AN OPENING AREA DEFINED BY A PRESCORED LINE, AND COMPRISING: (A) A LEVER LYING ON SAID CONTAINER SURFACE AND ATTACHED TO SAID OPENING AREA, WHEREBY RAISING OF SAID LEVER WILL TEAR SAID AREA FROM THE SAID CONTAINER SURFACE TO ESTABLISH A POURING OPENING; (B) A HANDLE ON THE LEVER AT A POINT REMOTE FROM THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE LEVER TO SAID OPENING AREA; (E) AND A HINGE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND LEVER, WHEREBY THE HANDLE IS OPERABLE FROM A POSITION LYING ADJACENT THE SAID CONTAINER SURFACE TO A MANUALLY ENGAGEABLE POSITION PROJECTING FROM SAID CONTAINER SURFACE. 